The Tragedy
Gabby

Hayden and I got back from our trip a week ago. I was nervous before I left to go meet him in another city, but it was amazing. More than amazing, actually. I wasn't constantly worried about someone seeing us. I kept in touch with Alex to make sure he was okay.

I thought back to our trip and couldn't have planned a better one. Going out to dinner, ordering room service, laying in the sun...it was more than I ever thought possible with my current situation.

I sat in my car a few houses down from my fathers. I was waiting for my dad to leave so I could come inside and get some new clothes. I could have taken everything to the motel, but since I can't afford it some nights, its better this way. And I get to see Alex.

Alex had been doing pretty good lately. No recent crazy anger fits from our father. Unfortunately, I've barely gotten to see Alex outside of school lately. I've been doing UberEats so much since I got back trying to afford the motel. Hayden tried to offer me money, but I couldn't take it.

I still couldn't believe that I was with him. I've seen him around school since freshman year, and he's always been Mr. Golden Boy, one of the most popular kids in school. He had countless girls chasing after him and didn't really care about anything.

Why is he with me? I believed that he really cared about me. I could tell something changed with him this year. I just don't get why he started noticing...me. I've always kind of been invisible in school. Unnoticed. So, for someone like Hayden Price to take an interest in me, was insane. But here we were. Two misfits drawn together at a pivotal moment in life, trying to make it work.

The sound of my dad's faded black 1977 F-100 starting had me looking in that direction. He lit a cigarette before reversing and heading to the local liquor store. Old habits. I waited an additional five minutes before getting out of my car and sneaking inside. Alex was waiting at the top of the stairs for me.

"Hey, sis," he said as he hugged me.

I hugged him back, missing him more every day. "Hey, you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said as he pulled away. "He's been...better the past few days."

That's a relief. "Good. I was worried about you. I wanted to check on you and get some clothes."

"Don't worry about me, Gabby. You have enough on your plate already. By the way, how's Hayden?"

I couldn't hide my smile. "He's good. He asked when he can hang out with you, again."

Alex frowned at that. "I quit the team, so I have to come straight home after school now. I'll try to think of something."

I walked to my bedroom and started putting some new clothes in my bag and grabbing some of my books. Having a lot of time to myself, I loved to read. Getting lost in stories about other lives and other worlds helped keep my mind off things.

Alex had gone to his room for a minute, so when I heard a noise behind me, I turned around, thinking it was him. I froze stock still as ice cold terror coursed through me. My father was standing in front of me.

"I thought I told you not to come here," he said with his normal deep, gravely voice.

"I- I," I could barely speak.

"You what? Been whoring around with some football player? Tell me!"

I saw Alex in the doorway behind my dad and shook my head, signaling him not to intervene. My dad got angry when I didn't respond, and back-handed me across the face, making me fall on the bed.

"Well!"

I didn't even move to touch the aching wound on my face. I just looked him in the eye and said, "I'm not with anyone. I swear."

He scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "You better not be. Who would want you anyway?"

I didn't move while he loomed over me. I didn't know what he was going to do. I was scared, not only for myself, but for Alex.

Growing frustrated, he grabbed me by the arms and shoved me towards the stairs. "I don't want you here!" He threw my bag down the stairs and I never ran so fast towards the front door. I knew he was right behind me and I almost made it to the door when he grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall, his hand around my throat.

I felt the pressure as he tightened his grip around my throat, but I could tell he was just trying to scare me. And it worked.

He looked me in the eye and said, "Don't. Come. Back." Each word a silent threat.

He let me go and I flew out the door and ran to my car.

How much more of this was I going to have to take?

Hayden

It was the middle of December, and it was almost time for state. Our team made it, and coach said my knee was fine to play in the championship. No surprise there. I practiced with Brad, which helped a lot. I've hardly seen Gabby since we got back. I talked to Alex in private at school to ask him if everything was okay.

He was being vague, and I knew something was up. It took everything for me not to go over there and make sure her dad didn't hurt her. I told Alex my plan to think of a way to get them safely from their dad. Alex was skeptical but he said he would try to help me think of something. He seemed more determined than ever.

Today at school, however, I didn't see either of them. I couldn't focus on anything my teachers were saying and Brad asked me repeatedly what was wrong. I was able to keep him from knowing everything, at least for a little while. I'll wait a couple more hours.

***

I was attempting to enjoy dinner with my mom. But for every second that went by without a text, was another different dreadful scenario that could have happened. I knew there was something wrong. I could feel it.

"Are you excited about football, Hayden?"

My mom's voice pulled my attention to the other issue I was dealing with. I had been practicing with Brad and it felt somewhat decent, but I wouldn't know anything for sure until I tried playing.

We were trying to come up with plays where he could try to stay and guard me when I was on the field. Like the doc said, I get hit once the wrong way, there's a blown knee in it for me. That's just what I fucking needed.

"Earth to Hayden," came my mom's voice again.

"Sorry, mom. I was thinking about your question. Yeah, I'm excited. A little nervous, you know, scouts will be there. And it's the first time I'm really playing with my knee."

She was quiet for a moment before she said, "Your father may be there."

Yeah, I figured. I haven't really spoken to him since Thanksgiving, but he called me a few times to talk about, wait for it...the state championship. The more he hounded me with this, the more I didn't want to do it.

"That's cool. I hope he's there," was all I could say.

By the time I finished dinner with my mom I still hadn't heard from Gabby and I was getting ready to drive over there when I finally got a text.

Hey. Sorry, I wasn't there today. Had to take Alex somewhere for an appointment.

I wasn't buying it. Something wasn't right. I need to see you.

I'll see you Monday at school.

No, Gabby. I know something's wrong. If you don't come to me tonight, then I'm coming to you.

Fine. I'll text you when to meet.

***
It was nearly midnight, and I was pacing a whole in my bedroom floor, when I heard a knock on the door that goes to the balcony outside my room. I opened the door and saw her standing there, soaked from the rain. I pulled her inside and went to turn the light on.

"No. Leave it."

That made a shiver go down my spine. "Why?"

She refused to look at me. "Hayden, what did you need? I'm here like you asked."

I wasn't answering her, until she answered my question first. "Gabby, why can't I turn the light on?"

Voice breaking, she said, "Hayden, please. I'm fine."

I flipped the light switch before she even finished her sentence, and she turned around, giving me her back.

I walked over to her and grabbed her arm lightly to turn her towards me.

She'd been crying. I could tell from the redness of her eyes. But what stood out the most was her busted lip, black eye and bruises on her neck.

I know my expression turned hostile, because when I turned to leave my house and go beat his ass, she came in front of me and put her body in front of the door, blocking me. Thank God, my mom's bedroom was downstairs, and she couldn't hear us.

"Hayden, no. You can't! Alex is there. It'll only make it worse if you do something."

"What am I supposed to do, Gabby? Stand here while he beats you? Do nothing?"

"Yes, you have to. Alex has nowhere else to go. He's not eighteen yet. If my father goes to jail, then Alex will be placed in the system. Please."

I looked at her and couldn't stop myself from admitting the truth. "Gabby, I love you. I love you so damn much, and you expect me to do nothing? To just let that bastard, do this to you?"

Even though her expression showed her shock at my bombshell, she seemed to think for a minute. "Hayden, I know you're upset. I understand that. But you can't go there like this, when you're this mad. You're not thinking clearly."

"Damn right I'm not thinking clearly."

She rested her hands on my chest. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Okay,  was not expecting that. "Here?"

"Yes. I don't want to be alone tonight, and I don't want to worry about you going after him, either. Can you just...be here with me?"

I cupped her face with my hand. Tricky minx. "Fine. I won't go tonight. But, Gabby, don't expect me to let this go. I'm not going to let it happen again."

She kissed the inside of my palm. "I know."

I took her hand and pulled her to my bathroom. "Let's get you cleaned up."

I sat by the tub as she soaked in the hot bubble bath, I drew for her. I felt a little calmer than before, but the thought of beating her father till he saw reason, was still never far from my mind.

"Did you mean it?"

Her question surprised me. "Mean what?"

"When you said you loved me."

"Of course, I meant it. I do love you."

I could tell she was trying not to cry as she whispered, "I love you, too, Hayden."

I gave her one of my shirts to put on after she finished her bath. She laid next to me with her head on my chest and I asked the question that has been on my mind all day. "Does he know?"

"He suspects. I don't know how he got the idea, but he said if it was true, well you know."

"Maybe we should end it."

She rose up on her elbow at my statement. "What?"

"Gabby, being with me is causing these problems for you. As much as I want to be with you, I don't want you or Alex hurt because of it."

She was quiet for a moment before saying, "Hayden, I have never felt freer than when I'm with you. Of course, I'm worried about Alex, but my dad just suspects right now. He uses these threats to control me. To make me do what he wants."

She leaned against me as she continued, "He did this before you even knew me, Hayden. It's not because of you and..."

"And what?"

"I need you."

I knew her well enough to know that it took a lot for her to admit that. "I'm not going anywhere." And I'm putting a stop to this.

I kept that last part to myself. As she laid next to me and drifted off to sleep, I leaned up on my elbow and looked down at her. Even when she was asleep, she looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. I went to brush a strand of hair out of her face when I noticed something.

She had her arm up by her face, and I had to look close to see the faint scars. Christ. There had to be at least ten. They were very light and hard to see, which explained why I hadn't seen them before. I leaned forward and kissed them lightly. She mumbled my name, and I laid back beside her, tucking her close to me.

She may have been right about tonight. That it was stupid for me to go after her dad with how mad I was. But I'm calmer now, and I've never seen anything more clearly than in this moment. I would stay the night with her, like I promised. But come tomorrow, I was putting an end to this.